Role of Martial Arts for Justice in the funding ecosystem
Martial Arts for Justice (MAJ) is a Canadian registered charity founded in 2016 that uses the platform of martial arts to confront violence, gender‑based violence (GBV), and modern slavery. Based in British Columbia but working with partners internationally, MAJ raises funds and awareness among martial arts schools and their communities, then channels this support to on‑the‑ground justice and anti‑violence initiatives. A major beneficiary highlighted on the site is International Justice Mission (IJM), a global human rights agency fighting slavery and other forms of violent oppression.
MAJ’s flagship fundraising initiative is the annual Breaking Boards Breaking Chains (BBBC) break‑a‑thon. Participating martial arts schools register for free, receive toolkits and promotional resources, and organize board‑breaking events during April to collect donations. Since 2013, the campaign has raised tens of thousands of dollars and has helped support multiple rescue operations for victims of modern‑day slavery through IJM and related justice work.
Programs and types of support
Alongside its fundraising campaigns, MAJ develops and delivers Enhanced Resilience Training™ (ERT), a psychoeducational and martial arts–based program designed to help survivors of genocide, rape, domestic violence, bullying and other trauma. Working with local governments, NGOs and therapists, MAJ implements ERT projects in contexts such as Rwanda and Uganda, training local professionals (a “train‑the‑trainer” model) so that benefits reach a larger number of beneficiaries.
Financial resources raised through campaigns, donations and partner support are directed to:
- Justice and anti‑slavery organizations such as IJM, to strengthen investigations, rescues and after‑care for survivors.
- Local partner organizations and practitioners delivering Enhanced Resilience Training and related trauma‑healing services in communities heavily affected by GBV and conflict.
- Educational activities in Canada that inform martial arts students and the general public about violence, GBV and modern slavery, encouraging long‑term engagement and advocacy.
Supported audiences and global impact
MAJ targets several key audiences. In Canada, it mobilizes martial arts schools, instructors and students as fundraisers and advocates, providing campaign toolkits, media templates and online resources. Internationally, it focuses on highly vulnerable groups such as genocide widows, women and girls experiencing GBV, and other survivors of severe trauma. Through a mix of financial support to partners and direct program delivery, MAJ seeks to help these individuals regain resilience, safety and a sense of empowerment.
Annual reports, assessments and news articles shared on the site document the evolution of MAJ’s projects, the outcomes of Enhanced Resilience Training cohorts, and the impact of funds raised through BBBC and other initiatives. Together, these activities position MAJ as both a fundraising conduit for specialized justice organizations and a program‑delivering charity within the broader ecosystem of anti‑violence and anti‑slavery work.